Notes:
Summary The shock syndrome has undergone great changes both in aspect and pattern (pathomorphosis) during the last 20 years. Between 1949 and 1971, the survival time of patients has increased from 4 to 11 days. This has produced the appearance of new stages in the shock syndrome: 1st period: hypovolaemia with fluid replenishment; 2nd period: acute renal failure with dialysis; and 3rd period: respiratory insufficiency with respirator therapy. Longer survival produces both positive and negative therapeutical consequences (liquid overload, O2-toxicity). In addition, changes in medical approach toward the shock syndrome have brought about an apparent change in the form of the afflication. Refined clinical methods, the introduction of the concept of consumptive coagulopathy, the knowledge of morphological equivalents of shock and perfect war-time medicine have changed views and judgements.

Notes:
Summary Various recent observations and hypotheses on structure and function of chromatin are reviewed. After discussing the cytology of chromatin (eu and heterochromatin), the constituents of deoxyribonucleoprotein (DNP) are described in more detail; the problem of satellite DNA and of repetitive DNA as well as the role of histones and non-histone proteins are dealt with. Finally, the relevance to structural changes in chromatin for the processes of biological aging and of carcinogenesis are discussed.